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Thu, 09 March 2023
J-K employee held for hate post on social media
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23:44 J-K employee held for hate post on social media
A government employee was arrested on Thursday for uploading a "hateful" post on his social media account in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
Amrik Singh, a resident of Beoli village and a Class IV employee in the office of chief education officer Doda, was booked for uploading "hateful" content on his Facebook account, a police spokesman said.
Sensing the sensitivity of the matter and to prevent the situation from turning into law and order problem, a police party led by station house officer of Doda police station Arun Parkash Sharma arrested the accused and produced him before executive magistrate class 1st Doda, the spokesman said.
He said the accused was sent to Bhaderwah district jail under preventive detention.
The spokesman said the Doda police is maintaining a close surveillance on suspected social media users and "if anybody is noticed being indulged in spreading hate to hurt the sentiments of any individual or community, stringent action shall be taken against such trouble mongers'. -- PTI
23:06 MNS chief asks partymen to prepare for civic polls
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday asked his party workers to prepare for the coming civic elections in Maharashtra.
He was speaking at a function to mark the 17th foundation day of his party in Thane.
Addressing the large gathering, he said MNS workers should prepare for elections to municipal corporations of Mumbai, Thane and other cities, whenever they might be held.
His party will do well and seize power in these polls, he said.
Talking about political developments in the state, he said he had never seen such "dirty politics" in his career.
This was also a golden opportunity for his party workers to reach out to the voters and convince them to vote for the MNS, Thackeray added.
High tide is always followed by low tide and in politics too a party in power experiences downfall sooner or later, Thackeray said, giving the example of the Congress. -- PTI
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22:33 Mumbai cop dismissed from service on 'administrative grounds'
An assistant sub-inspector of the Mumbai police has been dismissed from service on "administrative grounds", officials said on Thursday.
ASI Sunil Toke, who was dismissed earlier this month, had filed a Public Interest Litigation in the past alleging large-scale corruption in the traffic police department.
He had also filed a complaint against a retired assistant commissioner of police, accusing him of corruption. -- PTI
Anupam Kher at the Versova crematorium
22:01 Actor Satish Kaushik cremated in Mumbai
Family members and friends bid a tearful adieu to actor Satish Kaushik, who passed away following a heart attack, on Thursday.
The last rites of the multi-faceted artiste were held at the Versova crematorium in Mumbai around 8.30 pm in the presence of his family members and close friends, including actor Anupam Kher and director Ashok Pandit.
Kaushik, 66, died while he was on his way to a Gurugram hospital in the early hours of Thursday.
Kher told PTI that Kaushik was at a friend's home in Delhi to celebrate Holi when he began to feel uneasy.
"He told his driver to take him to the hospital... he suffered a heart attack around 1 am on the way," he said.
Following a post-mortem at Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, the actor's body was flown to Mumbai and taken to his residence in Mumbai's Versova locality at around 6.30 pm.
A host of Kaushik's industry friends and colleagues, including directors David Dhawan and Subhash Ghai, lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar, and actors Anupam Kher, Salman Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Tabu and Shilpa Shetty, visited his residence to offer their condolences.
Actor-director Farhan Akhtar along with wife Shibani Dandekar, Rakesh Roshan, Raj Babbar along with wife Nadira, Boney Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Johnny Lever, Vikrant Massey, Saiyami Kher, Tanvi Azmi, Ishaan Khatter, Indra Kumar, action director Sham Kaushal, singers Ila Arun and Anu Malik also visited his house to pay their last respects.
Kaushik, who acted, directed, wrote and produced a range of films over four decades, was loved and respected by many in the Hindi movie industry.
His comic timing in classics such as Mr India and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is still remembered.
Kaushik, whose directing credits include Tere Naam and Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, is survived by his wife Shashi and daughter Vanshika.
The Haryana-born Kaushik was raised in Delhi's Karol Bagh and later moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting.
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21:50 Nagaland urban local bodies polls to be held after 2 decades
The state Election Commission of Nagaland on Thursday announced that it will hold polls to 39 urban local bodies (ULB) after almost two decades on May 16 with 33 per cent reservation of seats for women, one of the contentious issues blamed for the situation.
The newly formed Nagaland cabinet headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio during its first meeting on Tuesday had deliberated on the conduct of the ULB elections by May this year with 33 per cent women reservation as directed by the Supreme Court.
Subsequently, State Election Commissioner (SEC) T Mhabemo Yanthan announced that the elections to constitute three municipal councils and 36 town councils in the state with 33 per cent reservation of seats for women will be held on May 16.
Notifying the election programme, he said filing of nominations will start on April 3 and end on April 10. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on April 12 and 13 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 24. Votes will be counted on May 19.
ULB elections in the state have been long overdue as the last polls were held in 2004.
Since then, elections were not conducted first on the unresolved Naga peace talks and then on 33 per cent reservation for women which the tribal bodies opposed.
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21:30 Kerala 'feels like temperature' above 54 deg Celsius
Kerala which experienced extreme rain a few months ago is now battling severe heat conditions with the temperatures shooting up to unprecedented levels.
The summer clock in the coastal state has just started ticking and already the daily heat index is showing an alarming trend.
According to a report prepared by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority on Thursday, certain areas in the southern state have recorded a heat index of more than 54 degree Celsius, which can cause serious health risks and imminent heat stroke chances.
Heat index is a pointer towards the heat one experiences with the combined effect of atmospheric temperature and humidity.
Many developed countries use the heat index to record the 'feels like temperature' in order to issue public health warnings.
According to it, the southern tip of Thiruvananthapuram district and certain areas in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Kannur districts have a 'feel like temperature' of more than 54 degree Celsius.
Major areas of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Kannur also recorded a heat index of 45-54 degree Celsius on Thursday.
Prolonged exposure and activity in these places could lead to heat stroke. -- PTI
BJP MLC Puttanna/ANI
21:25 Sitting Karnataka BJP MLC Puttanna resigns from party
Sitting BJP MLC Puttanna on Thursday tendered his resignation from the party citing "personal reasons".
In his letter to the Speaker of the legislative council, Puttanna said, "I am a member of Vidhan Parishad from the teachers' field and am resigning from the membership of Vidhan Parishad due to my personal reasons. They have requested to accept my resignation."
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala launched a scathing attack on the BJP following the resignation of Puttanna.
Surjewala, in a tweet, said, "Suffocated & stifled by the #40PercentSarkara & its anti-youth, anti-teacher policies, Sh Puttanna, BJP MLC today resigned as MLC & from BJP Membership. He has 4 years tenure as MLC remaining. We at @INCKarnataka commend his bold and courageous move. BJP's reverse count is on."
Further details are awaited. -- ANI
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
20:57 West Bengal: Mamata meets Guv at Raj Bhavan
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Governor CV Ananda Bose at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, officials said.
The two leaders held a closed-door meeting for about 40 minutes, they said.
"It was a courtesy meeting. There is nothing to read into it," an official said.
Banerjee went to the assembly from the Raj Bhavan to attend the proceedings of the ongoing budget session. -- PTI
Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
20:32 Reliance brings back Campa Cola of the 70s
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance re-launched the 50-year-old iconic beverage brand Campa Cola in a new contemporised avatar as it looks to ramp up its own consumer goods offering to take on competition from Adani, ITC and Unilever.
In January this year, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, the fast-moving consumer goods arm of Reliance Retail, acquired a 50 per cent stake in Gujarat-based carbonated soft drinks and juice maker Sosyo Hajoori Beverages Pvt Ltd.
It had previously acquired the Campa brand from Pure Drinks group for a reported Rs 22 crore.
And now, it has re-launched the Campa brand of beverages.
"The Campa portfolio will initially include Campa Cola, Campa Lemon and Campa Orange in the sparkling beverage category," the company said in a statement, adding the cold beverage portfolio will initially be available in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and will be rolled out across the country in stages.
Campa-Cola was a popular soft drink brand in the 1970s and 1980s but fizzed out with the entry of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.
Pure Drinks Group was the sole distributor of Coca-Cola in India from 1949 to the 1970s.
It launched its own brand Campa Cola in the 1970s, and soon became the market leader in the soft drinks segment.
Later on, it introduced Campa Orange, the orange-flavoured aerated drink. -- PTI
20:09 Sisodia writes open letter from jail, targets BJP
Former Delhi deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday penned an open letter on 'politics of education' vs 'politics of jail' while in custody alleging that BJP's problem with politics of education is that it "builds nations, not leaders."
He wrote, "It is much easier to throw political opponents in jail than giving quality education to children. BJP's real problem with politics of education is that it builds nations, not leaders."
"Politics of education is not an easy task and definitely not a recipe for political success. Today, politics of jail might be winning under the rule of the BJP, but the future belongs to politics of education," he wrote.
After CBI, the Enforcement Directorate arrested the Aam Aadmi Party leader on money laundering charges in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, official sources said.
The 51-year-old former Delhi education minister was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act following his second round of questioning at the Tihar jail, they said. -- PTI
Imran Khan
19:50 Pak HC quashes ban on Imran Khan speeches from satellite TV channels
A Pakistani high court on Thursday quashed the federal government's ban on the broadcast of the speeches and press meetings of ousted prime minister Imran Khan from satellite channels.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority banned the speeches of the chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party last week after the cricketer-turned-politician targeted former Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in an address to his supporters in Lahore.
"Lahore high court Justice Shamas Mahmood Mirza suspended the ban imposed by the PEMRA on the broadcast of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan's speeches and press talks," a court official said after the hearing on Thursday.
The Lahore high court ordered to lift the ban with immediate effect, he said.
The court passed the order on the former premier's petition that challenged the ban imposed by PEMRA.
Justice Mirza announced the judgment, sent the matter to the full bench for hearing and adjourned the proceedings till March 13. -- PTI
19:25 Rupee falls 7 paise to close at 82.02 against US dollar
The rupee pared its initial gains and settled for the day lower by 7 paise at 82.02 (provisional) against the US currency on Thursday tracking a muted trend in domestic equities.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 81.93 against the greenback and closed at 82.02 (provisional), registering a fall of 7 paise over its previous close of 81.95.
During the session, the domestic unit witnessed an intra-day high of 81.77 and a low of 82.02 against the American dollar. -- PTI
19:11 ED arrests Sisodia on money laundering charges
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday arrested Aam Aadmi Party leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on money laundering charges in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, official sources said.
The 51-year-old was placed under arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act following his second round of questioning at the Tihar jail, they said.
The agency alleged Sisodia was "evasive" in his replies and was "not cooperating in the probe."
Sisodia is currently lodged in judicial custody after the CBI arrested him on February 26 in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi liquor or excise policy for 2021-22.
The first round of Sisodia's questioning by the ED took place on March 7. -- PTI
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18:42 50 km metro network to be added in Mumbai region this year: Fadnavis
As much as 50 km of metro network will be added in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in 2023-24, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday.
He made the announcement while presenting the 2023-24 Budget in the state assembly.
Projects including the Mumbai Metro line 10 (Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk, Mira road with a total length of 9.2 km and estimated cost of Rs 4,476 crore, Mumbai Metro Line 11 from Wadala to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus with a total length of 12.77 km and estimated cost of Rs 8,739 crore, and Metro line 12 from Kalyan to Taloja with a length of 12.77 km and estimated cost of Rs 5,865 crore will be completed, he said.
For the Mumbai beautification project, 820 public utility improvement works have been undertaken at a cost of Rs 1,729 crore, he said.
A project worth Rs 424 crore is being undertaken to connect Thane and Vasai creeks for water transport around Mumbai.
A project costing Rs 162.20 crore has been approved for the construction of a jetty and related facilities for water transport terminal at Radio Club near the Gateway of India in Mumbai, Fadnavis said.
It will facilitate water transport from South Mumbai to Kalyan, Dombivli, Thane, Vasai and Navi Mumbai.
The construction of a memorial of Dr B R Ambedkar at Dadar in central Mumbai will be completed by April 2025 while the first phase of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray's memorial will be completed by May 2023, he said. -- PTI
Chirag Paswan meets migrant labour from Bihar, Chennai, March 6, 2023/LJP4India/Twitter
18:19 BJP behind rumours about attacks on migrants: JD-U
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United on Thursday charged the Bharatiya Janata Party with spreading "rumours' of attacks on migrant workers in Tamil Nadu with an eye on "electoral gains".
JD-U national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan also said that though his party did not favour criticising the country on foreign soil, it felt that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was well within his rights to express his anxieties about "threats to democracy in India' during his Cambridge tour.
"It has turned out that nothing had happened in Tamil Nadu. And just look at the people who have been booked and arrested for spreading rumours', said the JD-U chief, referring to cases being lodged against a number of BJP leaders by the DMK government in the southern state.
"So, this is the character of the BJP. Rumour-mongering, and coercion of parties opposed to it, all for electoral gains. But it is making a mistake. People of the country are now conscious enough to see through their designs," said the JD-U president, whose party snapped ties with the saffron party less than a year ago.
Asked about the controversy triggered by Rahul Gandhi's remarks abroad, Lalan, whose party is now aligned with the Congress, said "We believe the problems in the country are best discussed on the home soil, which offers a very large stage. We do not think one's own country should be criticised on foreign soil." -- PTI
18:07 PM to inaugurate 3rd session of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction on Friday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the third session of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi on Friday in which stakeholders will share know-how and experiences as well as discuss the latest developments and trends in disaster risk reduction.
The main theme of the session is 'Building Local Resilience in a Changing Climate'.
During the event, the prime minister will felicitate recipients of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, an official statement said.
The winners of the 2023 puraskar are the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority and the Lunglei Fire Station, Mizoram.
Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate an exhibition showcasing the innovative ideas and initiatives, tools and technologies in the field of disaster risk reduction.
The NPDRR, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is a multi-stakeholder platform constituted by the government to facilitate dialogue and share experiences, views, ideas, action-oriented research and explore opportunities in the area of disaster risk reduction.
The session will have over 1,000 participants, including Union ministers, ministers of disaster management from states, parliamentarians, heads of local self-governments, heads of specialised disaster management agencies, academicians, representatives from private sector organisations, media and civil society organisations, an official said. -- PTI
Ram Chandra Poudel/File image/ANI
17:45 Nepal elects Ram Chandra Poudel of Nepali Congress as new President
Ram Chandra Poudel of Nepali Congress was on Thursday elected as the third president of Nepal.
Poudel, a common candidate of eight-party alliance that included Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist Center, received the vote of 214 lawmakers of parliament and 352 provincial assembly members.
"Hearty congratulations to my friend Ram Candra Poudelji for being elected as the President," Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba tweeted.
The total number of voters for the election of the President is 882, consisting of 332 Members of the Parliament and 550 members of the provincial assemblies of the seven provinces.
Shaligram, the spokesperson of the Election Commission, said 518 Provincial Assembly members and 313 Members of the Federal Parliament cast their votes in the presidential election.
This is the third presidential election in Nepal since the country became a republic in 2008. -- PTI
17:36 Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar raises Rs 15.73cr on Day 1
Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar has earned Rs 15.73 crore in net box office collection on the first day of its release, the makers said Thursday.
Directed by Luv Ranjan, the romantic comedy released in theatres on Wednesday.
It is produced by Luv Films and Ankur Garg, and presented by Gulshan Kumar and Bhushan Kumar of T-Series. Luv Films shared the box office update on its official Instagram page.
"In just (1) day, humne prove kar diya ki naa hi hum jhooth bolte hai, naa hi hum makkaari karte hai! #TuJhoothiMainMakkaar gets the love of 15.73 Cr at the box office!" the production banner said in the post.
Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar also features Dimple Kapadia, Anubhav Singh Bassi, and Boney Kapoor. -- PTI
Atiq Ahmed
17:04 Atiq Ahmed should be killed in police encounter: Former BJP MP
Former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Harinarayan Rajbhar on Thursday said gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed should be brought out of jail and killed in an encounter, adding that the gates of heaven will open for the policeman who does so.
The provocative remark comes days after Ahmed's two alleged aides, accused in the Umesh Pal murder, were killed in separate encounters with UP police.
The police say they fired in retaliation, but the opposition Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have expressed disquiet.
The police encounters followed the gunning down of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, and two police personnel in Prayagraj last month.
The police said Ahmed, already lodged in a Gujarat jail in connection with another case, was involved in planning the attack.
"Atiq Ahmed conspired the murder while in jail. Atiq Ahmed has killed hundreds of people and forcibly occupied the land of the poor, Rajbhar, who was elected to Parliament in 2014 from Ghosi in Mau district, told reporters. -- PTI
16:50 Gainers and losers in Sensex pack
Snapping its three-day gaining streak, the 30-share BSE Sensex on Thursday opened strong but came under severe selling pressure to close 541.81 points or 0.90 per cent lower at 59,806.28.
Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty declined 164.80 points or 0.93 per cent to 17,589.60.
M&M was the top loser in the Sensex pack, skidding 3.31 per cent, followed by Reliance Industries, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, Maruti, Tata Motors and Tech Mahindra.
On the other hand, Tata Steel, L&T, Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel and HDFC Bank were among the gainers.
16:35 AAP MLAs Atishi, Saurabh sworn in as ministers
AAP MLAs Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj take oath as Delhi ministers. Newly appointed Delhi minister Atishi allotted Education, PWD, Power and Tourism portfolios; Saurabh Bharadwaj gets Health, Water and Industries and Urban Development. They were sworn in in the presence of Delhi LG VK Saxena and CM Arvind Kejriwal today.
16:10 Summons from ED were Modi summons: BRS leader
Top BRS leader K T Rama Rao on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of crony capitalism and "misusing" agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate to harass opposition leaders.
Rama Rao, who alleged that the central agencies have become puppets in the hands of the Modi government, claimed that several BRS leaders have been targeted by the Centre.
The summons issued by the ED to his sister and BRS MLC K Kavitha in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy are "not ED summons but Modi summons", said Rama Rao, son of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Alleging that the NDA government has become synonymous with "unscrupulous rule" and "dishonest investigation agencies", he said. The BRS leader alleged that industrialist Gautam Adani has a link to Prime Minister Modi. The PM and the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman remained tight-lipped even though Rs 13 lakh crore of LIC and SBI is lost, he alleged.
He said MLC Kavitha would appear before the ED and cooperate with the agency unlike BJP leader B L Santhosh, who tried to avoid questioning by the SIT of Telangana Police in the case of alleged attempt to poach BRS MLAs. "Why none of the BJP leaders are being summoned by the central agencies," he asked. PTI
Rahul Gandhi at Cambridge university
15:53 Rahul wept like a child when he was abroad: MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and said that he feels pity for the leadership of Congress.
"Rahul Gandhi is talking abroad because nobody listens to him in this country. He spoke such childish things that bowed the country's head in shame. He is crying like a child there, complaining that he is not allowed to do this and that. Whatever you want to say, say it among the people of the country," Chouhan said.
"When I went abroad before 2014, I was asked that the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is an underachiever. And my answer to that question was that the Prime Minister of India can never be an underachiever, he is the Prime Minister of India, not of the Congress," he said.
"Now, crying like this shows the defeated, desperate and hopeless mentality of the Congress leadership. I feel pity," he said.
CM Chouhan also slammed former CM and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Kamal Nath and said, "In the last election too, Nath was depend on lies, he did not fulfil his promise and now again his campaign to make a new promise letter is going on. But what happened to the previous promissory notes?
"I am asking again today Kamal Nath ji, you had promised that you would make a provision of an overall 40 percent budget for women in the MP budget, what did you do? I am again saying that you had stopped Rs 1000 per month which we used to give to poor sisters of Baiga, Bharia, Sahariya community. What happened to your promise?" Chouhan said. -- ANI
Karnataka CM Basavraj Bommai
15:22 EC team in Karnataka to review assembly poll prep
A team of Election Commission officials led by the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday arrived in the city to assess the readiness for assembly elections in the state.
The team comprising election commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel is on a three-day visit to Karnataka, where assembly elections are due by May. After reaching the state capital, the team held a meeting today at the Vikasa Soudha with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka Manoj Kumar Meena and other officers.
It will interact with the representatives of various political parties to seek their suggestion, opinion and complaints. The team will also attend an international conference on 'Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity' here, which will see participation of election commissioners of various democratic countries.
On March 10, the EC will hold a meeting with the deputy commissioners of all the districts regarding the preparation being made for the upcoming elections.
Later, the EC will inaugurate an exhibition on elections, before flagging off LED vehicles meant for voter awareness. The election commissioners will hold a press conference on March 11 before flying back to Delhi. PTI
BRS MLC K Kavitha
15:17 18 parties to participate in hunger strike in Delhi
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC and Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter K Kavitha on Thursday said that a hunger strike will be held in the national capital on March 10 and that 18 political parties have said that they will participate in the protest launched to seek introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill in the current session of Parliament.
The BRS leader also said that she will face Enforcement Directorate as she has not done anything wrong. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi Kavitha, who received summons from the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in the Delhi excise police case said that if a woman has to be interrogated by a central agency, then as per law, she has a "fundamental right" to be questioned at her home.
"We released a poster on March 2 about the hunger strike in Delhi over the Women's Reservation Bill. 18 parties confirmed their participation...ED summoned me on March 9. I requested for March 16 but don't know what haste they're in, so I agreed for March 11
"When an agency wants to interrogate a woman, she has a fundamental right that it be done at her home," she stated.
"So, I requested ED that they can come to my house on 11th March to investigate but they said that I will have to come to them," the BRS leader said.
Kavitha arrived in Delhi today and said that she will be appearing before the Enforcement Directorate on March 11.In a series of tweets, BRS MLS had hit out, alleging that certain political motives have been masquerading in the name of investigation.
"As a law-abiding citizen, I'll fully cooperate with investigating agencies. I will appear at your good offices on March 11," she had said in a statement.
On March 8, the BRS came down heavily on the Centre after the ED summoned Kavitha in connection with its ongoing probe of the Delhi excise policy case, saying that the central probe agencies have become an extended arm of the BJP.
Referring to the summons as "politically motivated", BRS leader Ravula Sridhar Reddy had said that except ED and BJP, nobody really understands the case registered in connection with the new-withdrawn new Delhi excise policy.
Maha finance minister Devendra Fadnavis with CM Shinde
15:08 Ajit Pawar: Rs 500-cr scam when Fadnavis was Maha CM
Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Ajit Pawar on Thursday alleged that a scam of Rs 500 crore took place in the state Information and Publicity Department during the tenure of the government led by Devendra Fadnavis.
Government officials gave approval to publish media advertisements worth more than Rs 500 crore in 2019 without the sanction from the chief minister, Pawar claimed and demanded incumbent CM Eknath Shinde to punish the officials involved in the scam.
Speaking in the Assembly, the senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader said, "The officials had mentioned in the file that the chief minister had been informed about the expenditure of Rs 500 crore for publishing advertisements without actually taking a sanction from him."
The information and publicity department is handled by the chief minister. The Fadnavis-led government of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena (undivided) ruled the state during 2014-19.
"In 2019-20, the government had withheld the payment of these advertisement bills since there was no approval. But now the present government has given orders to make the payments. This is serious and the government shouldn't support such activities," Pawar said. "Such culprits should be punished with suspension. The chief minister's approval is mandatory for media advertisements. In this case, approval was given for advertisements of more than Rs 500 crore without the sanction from the chief minister during the election year 2019," he claimed.
Without naming Brijesh Singh, who was the director general of the information and publicity department in 2019, Pawar said the probe into the approval of advertisements conducted under former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray indicted the then principal secretary social justice and DG of information and publicity, who is now with the chief minister's office as principal secretary. The probe report had also said that all departments should get the sanction of the chief secretary, the minister concerned and the deputy chief minister, who holds the finance department, Pawar said. PTI
Manik Saha
14:55 Will never support demand for Tipraland: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday asserted that the BJP-led government will never support demand like 'Tipraland' or 'Greater Tipraland', a day after a high-level meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in Agartala.
The Tipra Motha, a regional party banking on the 'Greater Tipraland' demand contested the 2023 Assembly elections and emerged as the second largest party by winning 13 seats in the 60-member Tripura Assembly.
"We had discussions on tribal welfare and on how to uplift the socio-economic condition of the indigenous people. No decision of appointing an interlocutor was taken in the meeting but there will be discussion on tribal welfare," Saha said.
Soon after the meeting with Union Home Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda, the Tipra Motha supremo claimed that the Central government will officially appoint an interlocutor to look into the problems of indigenous people for taking corrective measures. The chief minister reiterated that tribal welfare will be a priority sector for the BJP-IPFT government.
Saha said the BJP-IPFT government will work on the vision document unveiled by the party's national president before the 2023 Assembly elections.
Asked about the party's prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the chief minister claimed the BJP will perform better not only in Tripura but also in the entire Northeast. "We will get more seats in the next general elections than what was the party's tally in the 2019 elections in the Northeast," he said.
On the first cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said Binoy Bhusan Das was picked as pro-tem speaker of the Assembly and a discussion also took place on the vote on account.
"The portfolios of the new ministers will be distributed shortly," he said, adding that bringing some new faces in the cabinet was a normal exercise of the BJP government. Four ministers of the previous cabinet were dropped this time.
On post-poll violence, the chief minister said, "Some reports are coming to my knowledge. A vested interest group is trying to create trouble. I have asked the DGP to handle the situation firmly." -- PTI
14:30 Any party entering NE has to support Modi: Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday asserted that all parties contesting polls in the northeast must understand that they will have to eventually support the BJP.
Talking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the "tallest leader" of the country, and everyone favours him in the region.
Asked about the JD(U) and NCP extending support to the NDPP-BJP in Nagaland, he said, "All parties before entering northeast to contest polls must understand that water will flow into the ocean.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the tallest leader, everyone favours him," the NEDA convenor added. Sarma, however, declined comment when asked if the Nagaland development signaled JD(U) supremo and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's return to BJP-led NDA. "I have not researched much on him. But with Nitish Kumar, you can't guarantee anything," the BJP leader quipped.
13:52 Satish Kaushik's autopsy points at cardiac arrest
The post-mortem report of Satish Kaushik has revealed that the sudden demise of veteran Bollywood actor was caused due to a cardiac arrest.
As per sources, according to the initial post-mortem report, no injury marks were found on the body.
"Cardiac arrest for the cause of death of Satish Kaushik. No injury marks over the body. No alcohol was found in his body. No foul play was found. Blood and viscera samples have been preserved and sent for investigation," said sources.
Delhi Police is also carrying out routine proceedings to ascertain if the veteran actor died under mysterious circumstances or of unnatural causes.
The renowned actor passed away on Wednesday late night at the age of 66 years.
The police is carrying out routine proceedings under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Section 174 (Police to enquire and report on suicide, etc).
After the post-mortem, the actor's body was handed over to the family.
His mortal remains will be brought to Mumbai for his final rites, said sources. -- ANI
Satish Kaushik with his family
13:22 Creative genius who won hearts: PM on Kaushik
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the demise of veteran actor Satish Kaushik stating that "he was a creative genius who won hearts".
The Prime Minister further said that the Bollywood actor's works will continue to entertain audiences. "Pained by the untimely demise of noted film personality Shri Satish Kaushik Ji. He was a creative genius who won hearts thanks to his wonderful acting and direction. His works will continue to entertain audiences. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," PM Modi tweeted.
The renowned actor passed away on Wednesday late night at the age of 66 years after suffering a heart attack.
12:56 Satish Kaushik's mortal remains leave hospital
The mortal remains of actor-director Satish Kaushik has left the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where an autopsy had been conducted. The mortal remains of actor, who passed away at 66, following a heart attack on Wednesday, will be brought to Mumbai today for his final rites.
"Kaushik's body will be sent to Mumbai in an air ambulance from Delhi today" they added.
His body had been brought to Delhi's Deen Dayal Hospital for a post-mortem.
"I brought him to the hospital. He slept at 10.30 pm and called me at 12.10 am, complaining of breathlessness," says Santosh Rai, the actor's manager.
On March 7, Satish Kaushik attended the Holi bash of Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar in Mumbai. His photos and videos at the party were doing the rounds on the internet. A day later, he travelled to Delhi on Wednesday to attend a close friend's Holi party when he reportedly fell sick.
12:23 Stalin wrote to PM on Sisodia out of fear: TN BJP
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party chief K Annamalai on Wednesday slammed Chief Minister MK Stalin for extending support to AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who is currently in jail in Delhi excise policy case.
Stating that the TN CM is afraid that the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) scam will be opened, he has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi out of fear.
Speaking to media persons, Annamalai said, "It's a very strange situation. Congress appreciated that Manish Sisodia, who is the corrupt person in the Delhi liquor scam case, has gone to jail but their alliance partner DMK didn't sign that common letter and instead, they sent a separate letter. So he [Stalin] is afraid and out of fear he has written one more letter accusing the Central government agencies of misusing their power and arresting Manish Sisodia."
The Tamil Nadu BJP chief further said that DMK and Congress should sit together as they are in an alliance and should come to a common understanding of what they want.
"I think CM MK Stalin is afraid as like the Delhi liquor scam case, Tamil Nadu's TASMAC scam is ready to be opened any time. Better Congress and DMK should first sit together because they are in an alliance and should come to a common understanding of what they want. how can it be one of the major parties Congress is thinking it is right and one regional party DMK saying it is wrong? It shows their only job is to oppose the Central government just for the sake of opposing. They don't have any merits in opposing," he added.
Stalin on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Sisodia's arrest alleging that his arrest will be remembered as the "Black Day in the BJP regime at the Union". "I would like to remind you that misuse of investigating agencies and constitutional offices including that of the office of Governor can never strengthen the vibrant democracy in India and the day of the arrest of Thiru Manish Sisodia and terrorising the due process of law will be remembered as the Black Day in the BJP regime at the Union," the letter to the Prime Minister read.
"I hope that you will agree that different ideologies and several political parties are the heartbeats of Indian Democracy. In the same stretch, the rule of law and personal liberty are the cornerstones of our criminal justice system. While it is so, I am saddened and disappointed to note that Manish Sisodia, the elected Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi has been arrested on trumped-up allegations and made to undergo all pain and pressure depriving the constitutional guarantee of Personal Liberty," it added. -- ANI
12:16 The colours of India
Australia PM Anthony Albanese was treated to Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad. He arrived in India yesterday on his first state visit.
11:50 Wish I could breathe life into him: Kaushik's niece
Anita Sharma, on the death of her uncle, Satish Kaushik: "Wish I could do something to breathe back life into him. He was still young, he has an elder sister and a brother. How will they survive? He made a place for himself in hearts of people in real life. God takes away good people early."
Actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik, known for his memorable comic roles in films such as Jaane Bhi do Yaaro and Mr India, passed away following a heart attack early Thursday morning. He was 66.
11:30 ED questions Manish Sisodia in Tihar jail
The Enforcement Directorate is questioning former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia at Tihar Jail in connection with its ongoing probe in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case.
On Tuesday, the ED questioned and recorded Sisodia's statement. The probe agency has also made a fresh arrest in the case as it took custody of Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai.
The ED has summoned Bharatiya Rashtriya Samiti (BRS) MLC and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha for questioning on Thursday.
Kavitha was questioned by the CBI in December last year.
Sisodia was arrested on February 26 in an ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court sent him to Judicial Custody till March 20.
ED, last year filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has so far undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after filing FIR after taking cognisance of a CBI case which was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi lieutenant governor.
11:22 When your PMs cheer for you...
PM Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese watched the game on the first day of the final Test match of the BorderGavaskar Trophy2023 today, at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The PMs left the stadium a while ago.
File pic
11:10 UP: Man transporting cows shot at by unidentified people
A man transporting cows in a truck sustained injuries after being shot at by some unidentified people in Para area here, police said on Thursday.
The incident took place on Wednesday, Station House Officer, Para police station, TB Singh said. Prem Singh (50) had 13 cows in his truck and was taking them to Mainpuri, the SHO said, adding that he was rushed to the hospital, where his condition is stated to be stable.
An FIR has been registered in this regard under section 307 (attempt to muder) of the Indian Penal Code. The SHO said the reason behind the firing is not clear yet and a probe is on. PTI
10:42 JD-U dissolves party in Nagaland
Janata Dal (United) dissolves its Nagaland state committee with immediate effect stating that Nagaland State president of the party gave a letter of support to the Nagaland CM without consulting the central party. The party calls it "high indiscipline and arbitrary."
10:17 Encounter in Sukma, some Naxalites injured
An encounter took place between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Thursday morning, police officials said. No casualty was reported to security personnel but some Naxalites have sustained bullet injuries in the firefight, they added.
"A joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and 208th battalion of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) of the CRPF had launched the operation from Dabbamarka camp towards Sakler when the exchange of fire took place at around 9 am," Sukma Superintendent of Police Sunil Sharma told PTI.
"However, on finding security personnel zeroing in on them, the Naxalites escaped into the dense forest. A huge cache of explosives was recovered from the spot post the encounter. A search operation is underway in the area," he said.
Sharma said some Naxalites suffered bullet injuries during the gun battle and were seen fleeing. Further details on the encounter are awaited from the spot, he added. PTI
10:13 Modi, Albanese meet Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith
PM Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese are watching the game on the first day of the final Test match of the BorderGavaskarTrophy2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. They met India's captain Rohit Sharma and Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith before the match.
Modi and Albanese on Thursday morning reached the stadium and took a round of the massive sports arena on a golf car before the start of the fourth Test match between India and Australia. Modi and Albanese handed over Test caps to their respective team captains.
The round of the playing turf on a golf car by the two dignitaries was applauded by the thousands of spectators who had already taken their seats in the world's largest cricket stadium.
09:57 Satish Kaushik shared pic with Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal
Satish Kaushik tweeted this image from Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar's Holi party: "Colourful Happy Fun #Holi party at Janki Kutir Juhu by @Javedakhtarjadu @babaazmi @AzmiShabana @tanviazmi.. met the newly wed beautiful couple @alifazal9 @RichaChadha.. wishing Happy Holi to everyone #friendship #festival #Holi2023 #colors," the actor wrote.
Satish Kaushik passed away following a heart attack early this morning. He was just 67.
09:52 Satish Kaushik's last Holi
Satish Kaushik tweeted this image at the holi bash of Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar in Mumbai. His photos and videos at the party were doing the rounds on the internet. He came to Delhi on Wednesday to attend a close friend's Holi party when he reportedly fell sick.
09:50 Kaushik's body will be brought home after autopsy
Bollywood actor and director Satish Chandra Kaushik's postmortem will be done at Deen Dayal Hospital in Delhi on Thursday. The Bollywood actor passed away earlier this morning and his body was bought to the hospital at 5:30 am and has been kept at the mortuary.
Kaushik's postmortem will be done at 11 am. His body will be brought to Mumbai after the postmortem.
Bollywood actor Anupam Kher took to Twitter to announce the sad news earlier this morning. "I know "death is the ultimate truth of this world!" But I never thought in my dreams that I would write this thing about my best friend #SatishKaushik while alive. Such a sudden full stop on a friendship of 45 years!! Life will NEVER be the same without you SATISH! Om Shanti!" Anupam Kher said in a tweet.
Satish attended the holi bash of Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar in Mumbai. His photos and videos at the party were doing the rounds on the internet. He came to Delhi on Wednesday to attend a close friend's Holi party when he reportedly fell sick. Satish Chandra Kaushik who was born on April 13, 1956, was an actor, director, producer, comedian and screenwriter.
09:33 4th Test: Modi, Oz PM watch match together
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to watch the first day of the final Test match of Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state's Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, BCCI president Roger Binny and BCCI secretary Jay Shah received him.
Australian PM Albanese said he and Prime Minister Modi will be at the toss for the fourth and final Test for the ongoing series between India and Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
PM Modi and his Australian counterpart will be in attendance on the opening day of the fourth Test on Thursday.
However, the Australian PM did not say if it will be him or PM Modi who will toss the coin.
Banners of Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart have gone up at the Narendra Modi stadium ahead of the final Test. India is currently leading the series 2-1. However, the hosts need to secure an outright victory in the final Test to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship.
Anupam Kher tweeted this picture with Satish Kaushik
09:17 Will miss you: Bollywood mourns Satish Kaushik
Film personalities such as Hansal Mehta, Soni Razdan, Manoj Bajpayee, and Kangana Ranaut on Thursday remembered veteran actor Satish Kaushik as a "kind man" and "gentle soul" whose love for life was irreplaceable.
Kaushik, who donned multiple hats of a director, producer and screenwriter, died of a heart attack in Delhi in the early hours of Thursday. His close friend and colleague Anupam Kher told PTI, "He was at a friend's home in Delhi. Suddenly he felt uneasy and told the driver to take him to the hospital. On the way, he suffered a heart attack at around 1 am."
Earlier, Kher had shared the news of Kaushik's demise on Twitter. "I know that death is the ultimate truth of this world! But I had not thought even in my wildest dreams that I would write this thing about my best friend someday. Such a sudden full stop to a friendship of 45 years!! Life will NEVER be the same without you SATISH!" Kher said in the post.
Filmmaker Mehta remembered Kaushik as an actor, who was hungry for better characters. "Satish ji gone too soon. Don't even know how to say that you will be missed dearly. Your hunger for better characters, your passion for stories and your love for life are irreplaceable. Our film together Ek Director Ki Maut' now is no longer a film. Om Shanti," he wrote on Instagram.
Actor-director Soni Razdan said she is in disbelief about the demise of her Mandi co-star Kaushik, whom she fondly remembered as a "jolly gentle soul". "Shocked and heartbroken to hear our contemporary @satishkaushik2 is no more. Many of us met him for the first time while we were shooting Mandi. He was a jolly gentle soul always laughing. It's very hard to believe he's gone. RIP dear Satish we will miss you terribly," she said.
Kaushik's demise is a great loss to the film industry, said Bajpayee. "Completely shocked to read this! What a great loss for all of us and his family! Condolences to his family & friends! May you rest in peace Satish Bhai!"he wrote.
Ranaut said she will miss her "biggest cheerleader". "Woke up to this horrible news, he was my biggest cheerleader, a very successful actor and director #SatishKaushik ji personally was also a very kind and genuine man, I loved directing him in Emergency. He will be missed, Om Shanti," she tweeted.
Actor Abhishek Bachchan said he is "shocked" to hear of the passing of the actor. "A most gentle, kind and loving person. Always happy and smiling. A huge loss to our industry. Rest in peace dearest Satish uncle. We will all miss you," he tweeted.
"Life is so unpredictable," said actor Renuka Shahane as she recalled Kaushik sharing photographs of the Holi party a couple of days ago. "I am so shocked to hear that Satish Kaushikji is no more. Just yesterday he had shared some lovely photographs of Holi and today one hears of his sad demise. Life is so unpredictable May his soul rest in eternal peace Om Shanti," she said.
Actor Seema Pahwa, who met the actor two days ago, said the news of Kaushik's demise is "shocking". "We will remember your beautiful performances," she said in an Instagram post. Can't believe you are gone," wrote actor Riteish Deshmukh in his condolence message.
"Your hearty laugh still rings in my ears. Thank you for being a kind and generous co actor, thank you for being a silent teacher. You will be missed, your legacy will live on in our hearts. #SatishKaushik ji #RestInPeace," Deshmukh tweeted.
Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia reacted on Kher's tweet and wrote, Shocked!! Very sad news. Born in Haryana, Kaushik was an alumnus of the National School of Drama and the Film and Television Institute of India.
He was best known for his comedic roles such as Calendar in "Mr India" and Pappu Pager in "Deewana Mastana". His acting credits also include films such as "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron", Ram Lakhan, Saajan Chale Sasural, Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, "Udta Punjab", Bharat, and Chhalaang. Kaushik is credited for penning the dialogues for the 1983 cult classic "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron", and writing the story of his 2021 directorial venture Kaagaz featuring Pankaj Tripathi in the lead. His directorial debut was the Sridevi and Anil Kapoor-led film, Roop Ki Rani, Choron Ka Raja.
He followed it up with Hum Aapke Dil Me Rehte Hain, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Badhaai Ho Badhaai, all featuring Kapoor; Salman Khan-starrer Tere Naam; and Kaagaz. Some of his upcoming film include Emergency, Salman Khan's "Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan", and Disney+ Hotstar series "PopKaun".
08:49 No one poached me: CTR Nirmal kumar after resigning from BJP
CTR Nirmal Kumar, Tamil Nadu BJP IT wing chief who recently joined AIADMK on Thursday said that "no one poached him" after resigning from the party.
"It was a hardcore decision to leave the party. No one has poached me. It is my decision," he said. "Aligning to a party is not poaching or it is not a shopping kind of thing. It is an emotion," said CTR Nirmal Kumar.
CTR Nirmal Kumar on Sunday resigned from the Bhartiya Janta Party.
After leaving the party, he joined AIADMK in the presence of AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS).
On March 6, CTR. Nirmal Kumar took to Twitter to inform his decision about leaving the party.
"I have travelled for the last 1.5 years through as many dilemmas as I could! I have worked hard and honestly, only pain remains! goodbye" CTR Nirmal Kumar tweeted.
After this decision, he visited the residence of AIADMK interim general secretary EPS and joined AIADMK.AIADMK party through its Twitter handle also confirmed this development.
"Hon'ble Interim General Secretary Mr. @EPSTamilNadu met him, at his residence today, Bharatiya Janata Party Information Technology and Social Media Wing State President Shri. @CTR_Nirmalkumar met them in person and joined himself as a basic member of the association" AIADMK tweeted.
CTR Nirmal Kumar levelled severe allegations against Tamil Nadu BJP State President K Annamalai.
CTR Nirmal Kumar in his resignation statement said, "For the past year the leaders and cadres are treated as slippers and not having any concerns about the party and petty gratification of spying his party functionaries and cadres."
The resignation statement further stated that the Tamil Nadu BJP is heading towards destruction.
"Party is led by a mentally stunted person and Party is inching towards destruction. The structure is not even 20 per cent when compared to 2019. The person who lives in imagination cannot understand the ground reality." read the resignation statement.
08:28 Actor-director Satish Kaushik dies at 66
Actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik passed away following a heart attack early on Thursday morning, said his close friend and industry colleague Anupam Kher. He was 66.
According to Kher, Kaushik was at a friend's home in Delhi when he complained of uneasiness.
"He felt uneasy and he told driver to take him to the hospital and, on the way, he suffered a heart attack around 1 am," Kher told PTI.
In a tweet earlier, Kher said he was shocked to hear about Kaushik's sudden death.
'I know that death is the ultimate truth but never in my dreams I thought that I would have to write that about my best friend Satish Kaushik. A sudden full stop to 45 years of friendship. Life will never be the same without you Satish! Om Shanti,' Kher tweeted.
An alumnus of the National School of Drama and the Film and Television Institute of India, Kaushik was best known for his roles in films such as Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Mr India, Deewana Mastana, and Udta Punjab.
Kaushik's last post on his official Twitter account was a series of pictures from the annual Holi celebrations organised by noted lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar on March 7 in Mumbai.
'Colourful Happy Fun #Holi party at Janki Kutir Juhu by @Javedakhtarjadu @babaazmi @AzmiShabana @tanviazmi.. met the newly wed beautiful couple @alifazal9 @RichaChadha .. wishing Happy Holi to everyone #friendship #festival #Holi2023 #colors,' he wrote.
Known for his comic timing, Kaushik was also a director. His most popular films as a filmmaker are Salman Khan starrer Tere Naam and Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tusshar Kapoor.
Actor Kangana Ranaut, who worked with Kaushik in her upcoming film Emergency, remembered the actor as a 'kind and genuine man'.
'Woke up to this horrible news, he was my biggest cheerleader, a very successful actor and director #SatishKaushik ji personally was also a very kind and genuine man, I loved directing him in Emergency. He will be missed, Om Shanti,' she tweeted.
He is survived by his wife and daughter. -- PTI
DRI seizes 7.6 kg of heroin from a passenger at Mumbai airport/ANI Photo
00:58 Man held at Mumbai airport with heroin worth Rs 53 crore
Heroin worth Rs 53 crore has been recovered from a passenger at the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport in Mumbai, an official from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said on Wednesday.
DRI had received intelligence about drugs being smuggled by a traveller coming from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to Mumbai, said the official.
Officials intercepted the passenger on his arrival and a thorough search of his baggage led to the recovery of 7.6 kg of an "off-white' powder concealed in false cavities, he said.
Later, tests confirmed that the powder was heroin, a banned drug.
The seized narcotic substance is worth nearly Rs 53 crore, the official said, adding that the man has been remanded in judicial custody till Friday. -- PTI
00:40 Major fire at Puri shopping complex, 100 rescued
A major fire broke out at a shopping complex in Odisha's Puri on Wednesday night, the police said.
The blaze was first spotted at a garments shop on the first floor of Laxmi Market Complex in Marichikot Chhak on Grand Road around 9 pm, they said.
Some of the 40 shops at the shopping complex were gutted in the inferno, they said, adding that five fire tenders were working to douse the blaze.
Three people, who were stuck on the roof of the building, were rescued in an unconscious state by the firefighters and rushed to the district hospital, the police said.
The building, which is located close to the centuries-old Jagannath temple, also houses a hotel on one of its floors. Around 106 tourists from Nashik in Maharashtra were safely rescued from the hotel.
Deputy fire officer Pradeep Kumar Rout said 90 per cent of the fire was brought under control by 10.30 pm.
The building in the busy neighbourhood also houses a bank on one of its floors.
"We are still unable to ascertain how the fire started," said Puri Sub-Collector Bhavataran Sahu. -- PTI
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